every 3 or 4

hours.

—

Another Treatment. To properly introduce the treatment, we will

suppose a case, similar to which I have had many a one, a man (for men have

these inflammatory diseases 10 times to women once') comes home at night, with

a cough, sore throat, etc., indicating that he has taken cold, and that it has settled upon the throat and broncJiial tubes take no supper, but go right to work,

as for common colds, and get up a perspiration, by soaking the feet in water

—

—

and pouring in more hot, from time to time, to keep

you have one of the alcohol lamps for siceating purposes, set it to work at the same time, and take some hot teas to help the

work, and if there are no sweating herbs in the house, of course there is some

whiskey or other liquor, make about a pint of hot stew, using 1 gill of whiskey,

with sugar and hot water; and drink one or two good draughts of this while

ihe feet are in the water, and the rest of it after you get into bed, covering up

warm so as to continue the sweating for an hour or two, with hot irons, bricks

or stones at the feet, as your conveniences will allow; then, when the family go

as hot as it can be borne,

it

hot, for 20 to 30 minutes, and if

DR. CEASE'S RECIPES.

256

to bed, take a good dose of physic, so it shall operate well by the next morn-

you will not need much further treatment. Perhaps some of the sweating tincture^ and a little of the cough syrup and a little

diuretic may be needed through the following day, or for a few days.

But, if

this does not work such a decided improvement as to indicate that no serious

trouble remains, after the physic has operated, then take an emetic, or repeat

the previous process, at farthest, on the following evening, when the symptoms, fever, etc., would likely be worse than through the day. But should

you deem it best, from the violence of the symptoms, to take an emetic, one

of the diaphoretic or sweating medicines had better also be taken to keep a tendency to the surface, according to the directions under that head.

But if these cases are neglected, they run on into a chronic, or long standing disease, and become very troublesome to cure, and often set up a chronic

inflammation of the lungs, and finally consumption is the result.

ing, and ten chances to one

2.

Bronchitis— Chronic. — Chronic bronchitis must needs be of a sim-

and treated in a similar manner; but the emetic or sweating

need not be repeated oftener than once a week, nor the cathartic, and they need

not both be taken the same day; but a cough syrup, or some cough medicine

should be taken daily; and a diuretic be taken for a day or two each week, as

the case seems to demand, and a little essence of spearmint may be taken, a

few drops whenever the soreness or rawness of the throat is troublesome,

keeping a vial of it handy to taste, night or day, without water; or a drop or

two of cedar oil may be taken on a little sugar, and the throat have some of it

rubbed upon the outside as a liniment. The following combination of articles

will fulfill all the indications needed, except that of cathartic, which can be

ilar character,

used by itself, once in a week or 10 days:

Acetic tincture of bloodroot, tincture of black cohosh, and of the balsam

oz.

sweet spirits nitre, 1 oz.

of tolu, and wine of ipecacuanha, of each,

Mix. Dose tea-spoonful, in a little water, 3 to 5 times daily according to the

^

—

;

amount of irritation present.

SCARLATINA.— With Severe Fever. — In other cases of scarlet

fever, the febrile symptoms at the

commencement are more severe; there is a

sensation of stiffness and pain on moving the neck, and it

is

also painful to

swallow; the voice is thick, and the throat feels rough and straitened.

The

heat of the surface rises in a most remarkable manner; not only to the sensa-

seem greater, but the thermomshows it to be 108" or 110", that is more than ten degrees above the

natural standard.

There is sickness, headache, great restlessness and delirium;

the pulse is frequent but feeble, and there is great languor and faintness. The

tongue is of a bright red color, especially at the sides and extremity, and the

tions of the patient or observer does the heat

eter

rising points are very conspicuous.

The rash does not appear so early as in

the milder scarlet fever, as is seen in patches, very frequently about the elbows.

Sometimes it vanishes and appears again at uncertain times without any corresponding change in the general disorder. When the rash is slight or goes

ofE

early, there is little scaling off of

the skin; but in severer cases, large

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

pieces of the skin

257

come off, especially from the hands and feet.

The swell-

ing and inflammation of the throat sometimes go off without any ulceration;

but at other times sliglit ulcerations form at the tonsils and at the back of the

mouth; and whitish specks are seen intermixed with the redness, from which

a tough phlegm is secreted, clogging the throat and very troublesome. This

kind of scarlet fever is not unfrequently followed by great debility, or the

occurrence of other diseases, as inflammation of the eyes, or dropsy, or an

inflammatory state of the whole system or water on the brain.

Treatment.

—

It is

in general, proper to begin with

giving an emetic,

especially if we at all suspect the stomach to be loaded with undigested mat-

and we are very soon after to exhibit laxative medicines which are truly

one of our most important remedies in this disease. A dangerous and exhausting looseness which takes place towards the fatal termination of an ill-managed scarlet fever, for a long time excited great fears and prejudices against

ter;

the use of laxative medicines in this disease; but better observation has con-

vinced us that so far from being detrimental, laxative medicines, early and

prudently begun have the best effect in mitigating the disease and in preventing the collection of that putrid and offending matter in the bowels which is

so sure to produce wasting diarrhoea when it is suffered to accumulate. To

lessen the burning heat of the skin, nothing is at all comparable in some cases

to the free affusion of cold water, which, when employed prudently and at the

proper time, cools the surface, and from a state of the most restless irritation,

brings the patient to comparative ease and tranquility.

The cold affusion,

however, is not proper where there is much fullness of blood on one hand or

great debility on the other; and in the majority of cases we must trust to the

washing or sponging of the whole body with tepid water, or vinegar and

water; and till the heat of the body is reduced by these means, it is in vain

that we give internal medicines to procure perspiration or to allay restlessness

and induce sleep. After washing it is not at all unusual for the formerly

harassed patient to fall into a gentle and refreshing sleep, and a mild and

breathing sweat comes out over the whole body

This supersedes the necessity of sudorific and anodyne medicines; and provided we attend to the bowels,

keep away stimulant and nourishing food, give the drink cold or acidulated,

and employ proper gargles for the mouth and throat, the drugs we administer

may be very few indeed.

The inflammatory state of the system which often follows scarlet fever is

not unfrequently accompanied with a swelling resembling dropsical swelling;

but we are not to regard this last as a sign of debility, or to be deterred from

the use of active remedies.

leeches behind the ears

Bleeding from the arm is seldom admissible, but

may be necessary if head symptoms come on; brisk

purgatives are to be freely administered, and the inflammatory and dropsical

tendency is to be combated by the use of foxglove and other diuretics

When

the inflammatory action has subsided and the dropsy appears to be the principal malady, we are to give tonic medicines and nourishing diet along with

such medicines as increase the flow of urine.

17

DR. CHASE'S RECIPES.

258

MALIGNANT SCARLET PEVEB— With

Throat.

— There

Putrid

Sore

more fatal form of scarlet fever where the

malignant and putrescent symptoms are more rapid and severe, where the general system is much oppressed, and the throat and neighboring parts affected

with rapidly spreading ulcerations. It is this which has obtained the name of

putrid sore throat. This form of scarlet fever begins like the preceding, but

in a day or two shows symptoms of peculiar severity.

The rash is usually

faint, and the whole skin soon assumes a dark or livid red color.

The heat is

not so great nor so permanent as in the other kinds; the pulse is small, feeble,

and irregular, there is delirium and coma, with occasional fretfulness and

is yet another and

violence.

The eyes are suffused with a dull redness, there is a dark red flush

on the cheek, and the mouth is incrusted with a black or brown fur. The

ulcers in the throat are covered with dark sloughs and surrounded by a livid

base; there is a large quantity of tough phlegm which impedes the breathing,

occasioning a rattling noise; and increasing the pain and difficulty of swallowing.

A sharp discharge comes from the nostrils, producing soreness, chaps,

and even blisters.

There is severe diarrhosa, spots on the skin, bleedings from

the mouth, bowels, or other parts, all of which portend a fatal termination to

the disease. Sometimes the patients die suddenly about the third or fourth

day; at other times in the seconder third week; gangrene having probably

arisen in the throat or some parts of the bowels.

Those who recover have

often long illnesses from the ulceration spreading from the throat to the neighboring parts, occasioning suppuration of the glands, cough, and difficulty of

breathing with hectic fever.

—

The active remedies formerly mentioned are quite inadUnnecessary heat is to be avoided, but we are not to think of

the cold washing or of purging, lest we oppress the powers of life and bring

on a fatal diarrhoea. The system requires support and stimulants from the

commencement of the attack. Strong beef tea should be given in as large

quantities as possible, and wine and bark should be liberally administered;

the throat must be injected with strong cleaning gargles. The infusion of

cayenne pepper or the decoction of bark acidulated with sulphuric or muriatic

acid, or gargles to which a little tincture of myrrh or of camphor is added,

may be usefully employed. Too often, however, all treatment is unavailing,

and there is no more fatal contagious disease than malignant scarlet fever.

There is an ulcerated sore throat of peculiar malignity, distinct from

scarlet fever, which commonly terminates with the worst symptoms of croup.

Treatment.

missible here.

ABORTION, OR MISCARRIAGE— (Abortus.)— The separation

of the child from the womb of the mother at any period before the sixth month

between which period and the full time the same event is called

premature labor.

Symptoms. Abortion may be described as consisting of three stages, each

of which should be carefully studied; because in the two first much may be

of pregnancy

;

—

done by the patient herself or by the judicious management of friends about her.

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

259

In the first stage the woman merely " threatens to miscarry " there is pain in

;

the lower part of the belly, or about the back and loins, with unusual depresIf these symptoms

sion of spirits and faintness without any apparent cause.

do not pass off, they are succeeded by a discharge of blood from the external

parts, sometimes light, at other times profuse and alarming; accompanied or

succeeded by sharp pains in the back, the loins, and the lower part of the

belly, not constant,

but intermitting, like those of regular labor.

Often there

vomiting, sickness, or pains of the bowels, and headache; and from the

quantity of blood lost, fainting fits frequently occur, and there is commonly

is

a sense of weakness, much greater than can be accounted for by the copiousThis is the second stage; and in it the child has become

If by the efforts of nature or the assistpartially separated from the womb.

ance of art these symptoms abate or cease, the embryo may be retained, and

many continue to grow. But in other cases the discharge of blood continues

and the signs of approaching expulsion of the contents of the womb become

more evident. Regular pains ensue, there is a feeling of bearing down, with

a desire to make water and at last the foetus comes away, either surrounded with

its membranes, if the whole ovum be small, or the membranes break, the

waters are discharged, and the foetus comes away, leaving the after-birth

ness of the discharge.

;

This constitutes the third stage, in which the child is altogether separ-

behind.

ated and must be expelled.

Causes.

—

Abortion may be caused by external violence, as kicks or

1.

blows, a fall, or violent action, as dancing, riding, jumping, or much walking.

Women in the state of pregnancy should avoid many of the domestic opera-

good housewives to engage in. As our aim

we venture at the risk of exciting a smile, to men-

tions so proper at other times for

is to be practically useful,

ought to be avoided, viz., hanging up curtains, bedmaking, washing, pushing in a drawer with the foot, careless walking up or

tion some exertions that

down a stair.

4.

2.

Straining of the body, as from coughing.

Irritation of the neighboring parts, as

the gut, or piles.

surprise.

6.

5.

3.

Costiveness,

from severe purging, falling down of

Any sudden or strong emotion of the mind, as fear, joy,

The pulling of a tooth has been known to produce a miscarriage;

and though toothache is occasionally very troublesome to women in the pregnant state, the operation of drawing teeth should, if possible, be avoided at

that time.

7.

Women marrying when rather advanced in life are apt to mis-

be hazardous to name any particular age at which it is too

but the general observation is worth attending to. 8. Constitutional debility from large evacuations, as bleeding or purging; or from disease,

carry.

It would

late to marry,

as dropsy, fever, small-pox

9.

A state the very opposite of this is sometimes

the cause of abortion, viz., a robust and vigorous habit, with great fullness of

blood and activity of the vascular system.

—Miscarriage

10.

The death of the child.

always an undesirable occurrence, and is to

be prevented by all proper means, as a single miscarriage may irretrievably

injure the constitution, or give rise to continual repetitions of the accident

Treatment.

is

260

DR. CHASE'S BECIPE8.

Unless we have reason to believe that the child is dead, it is desirable that mis.

carriage should be prevented, and that the woman should go on to the full time,

but if the motion of the child should cease, if the breasts of the

mother should become soft, after disease or great fatigue, and signs of miscarriage come on, it would be improper to endeavor to prevent the embryo coming

away; and we must direct our efforts to relieve any urgent symptoms, and do

what we can to conduct the patient safely through the process.

In the first stage of abortion, when it is merely impending or threatening,

and even in the second stage, when the child has become partially separated, it

is proper to attempt to check the discharge and prevent the consequent expulsion.

The patient must cease from all exertion in walking, or even sitting

upright, and must lie on a bed or sofa; all heating food or liquors must be

avoided; whatever is taken should be rather cool, and cold applications must

be made to the back, the loins, and neighboring parts. A lotion useful for this

if possible;

purpose is 1 part of vinegar to 2 or 3 parts of cold water; cloths or towels

dipped in this are to be applied as directed above. The fainting which so often

occurs requires to be relieved by a very moderate use of cordials, as a little

wine and water, or even brandy and water; but in this much caution is

required, lest feverishness or inflammatory symptoms be brought on, which in

a weakened frame are apt to occur, from causes too slight to have the same

effect in a healthy one.

As abortion sometimes takes place from too great fullness of blood, and

from that state of the constitution well known by the name of high health, it

is right in such cases to enjoin abstinence, to order a cooling diet, as light

puddings, preparations of milk, or boiled vegetables; and to give gentle laxatives, as castor oil, senna, small doses of purging salts, magnesia, and rhubarb.

If, under such treatment, the discharge from the womb stops, if the painscease, and the sickness, headache, and constitutional symptoms are relieved, we

may hope that the woman will not part with her offspring, but bring it to the

full time.

She must make up her mind to be in the reclining posture for some

time, and must consider herself as liable to be again affected by the same

symptoms and the same danger, if she uses the smallest liberty with herself.

If the discharge, however, still continues, and if there is little likelihood

of the pregnancy going on, everything must be done to assist the woman in

the safe completion of the process.

"We must introduce a soft cloth dipped in

oil into the birth, so as to fill the lower part of it.

By this means the blood

has time to form into clots, and the contraction of the womb throws down the

embryo along with them. We should not hastily use any force by the hand

to bring it away; but the time when this may be done is to be left to the judgment of the medical person in attendance. As the after-birth in the early

months bears a larger proportion to the contents of the womb than it does in

the later months, it is often retained long after the child

is

expelled;

but it

must be remembered, that the womb will not contract till every thing is out

of it, and therefore the bleeding will continue till the after-birth is off. It may

happen to lie partly out of the womb, and if so, the practitioner is to attempt

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

261

gently to remove it by the hand; but if it be wholly in the cavity of the womb,

its expulsion is to be promoted by clysters of gruel, with the addition of salts,

or with senna, or even a little of the tincture of aloes; or by a cautious use of

the ergot of rye.

Patients should be careful not to throw away any thing discharged, on the

supposition that they know what it is, but should uniformly show every clot to

the practitioner, that he may be enabled to distinguish with certainty whether

the child and after-birth are thrown off. When the womb is emptied, the

belly is to be tied up with a binder, as after delivery at the full time; the same

and nourishing; healing

rest and quiet is to be ordered; the diet must be light

food, all spirituous and malt liquors, are to be avoided, till the practitioner

judges it proper to allow sulphuric acid, bark, and wine, or porter, to assist in

recruiting the strength, which in the event of abortion is generally so greatly

exhausted,

A very strong reason for enjoining rest and quietness after a miscarriage

is this, that

when twins or three children have been conceived, the embryo of

one of them may be thrown off, and the other may be carried to the full time.

Any premature exertion might, therefore, endanger the life of more than one

child.

When the woman is in some degree recruited, her recovery is to be

completed by moderate exercise, by proper diet, by the use of the cold bath or

sea-bathing, and by taking stomachic medicines, as the bark and wine, preparations of iron, or the elixir of vitriol.

Few incidents have so pernicious an

effect as a miscarriage, on certain constitutions; sometimes the health is irrep

arably

injured, or a habit

is

begun which prevents the woman from evei

In every future pregnancy particular caution

carrying a child to the full time.

is requisite;

especially at the period when the miscarriage formerly happened,

which is very generally between the eighth and twelfth week. For a considerable time before and after this, the woman should lie in a reclining posture,

should attend to keeping the bowels easy by such mild laxatives as have been

already mentioned; and if too full, should lose a little blood.

Sometimes, for wicked purposes, it is attempted to procure abortion, either

"by strong and acrid medicines, by violent exercises, or by direct application to

the parts concerned; but it should be generally known that there is no medicine

which directly and certainly acts on the womb itself; and that to procure

abortion by any drug or mechanical violence, is to run the risk of speedy death,

or inducing madness, or causing irreparable injury to the constitution, besides

being punishable by law as a crime.

DISEASES OP WOMEN.— Women, in all civilized nations, have

the management of domestic affairs; and it is very proper they should, as

Nature has made them less fit for the more active and laborious employments.

This indulgence, however, is generally carried too far; and women instead of

being benefited by it, are greatly injured, from the want of exercise and free

air.

To be satisfied of this, one need only compare the fresh and ruddy looks

of a milk-maid with the pale complexion of those females whose whole

business lies within doors. Though Nature has made an evident distinction

DB. CHASE'S RECIPES.

363

between the male and female with regard to bodily strength and vigor, yet shecertainly never meant, either that the one should be always without, or the

other always within doors.

The confinement of women, besides hurting their figure and complexion,

relaxes their solids, weakens their minds, and disorders all the functions of th&

body. Hence proceed obstructions, indigestion, flatulence, abortions, and the

whole train of nervous disorders.

These not only unfit women for beingmothers and nurses, but often render them whimsical and ridiculous. A sound

mind depends so much upon a healthy body, that where the latter is wanting,

the former is rarely to be found.

I have always observed that women who were chiefly employed without

doors, in the different branches of husbandry, gardening, and the like, were

almost as hardy as their husbands, and that their children were likewise strongand

healthy.

But as the bad effects of confinement and inactivity upon both sexes

have been already shown, we shall proceed to point out these circumstances in

the structure and design of woman, which subject them to peculiar diseases;

the chief of which are ilieiv Monthly Evamations, Pregnancy, and Child-bearing.

These indeed cannot properly be called diseases, but from tlie delicacy of the

sex, and their being often improperly managed in such situations, they become

the source of numerous calamities.

—

MONTHLY

TITRNS OR MENSES.— First Signs of the Menstrual Discharge. Women generally begin to menstruate about the age of

fifteen, and leave it off about fifty, which renders these two periods the most

About the first appearance of this discharge, the concritical of their lives.

—

stitution undergoes a very considerable change, generally indeed for the better,

though sometimes for the worse. The greatest care is now necessary, as the

future health and happiness of the woman depends, in a great measure, upon

her conduct at this period. It is the duty of mothers and those who are

entrusted with the education of girls, to instruct them early in the conduct and

management of tliemselves at this critical period in their lives. False modesty,

inattention, and ignorance of what is beneficial or hurtful at this time, are the

eource of many diseases and misfortunes in life, wliich a few sensible lessona

from an experienced matron might have prevented. Nor is care less necessary

Taking improper food, severe

in the subsequent returns of this discharge.

nervous strain or catching cold at this period is often suflicient to ruin the

health, or to render the woman ever after incapable of procreation.

If a girl about this time of life be confined to the house, kept constantly

sitting, and neither allowed to romp about, nor employed in any active business,

which gives exercise to the whole body, she becomes weak, relaxed, and pimy;

her blood not being duly prepared, she looks pale and wan; her health, spirits,

and vigor decline, and she sinks into a valetudinary for life.

Such is the fate

of numbers of those unhappy women, who, either from too much indulgence,

or their own narrow circumstances, are at this critical period, denied the benefit

of exercise and free air.

A lazy, indolent disposition proves likewise very hurtful to girls at this

period.

One seldom meets with complaints from obstructions amongst the more

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

263

active and industrious part of the sex, whereas the indolent and lazy are seldom

free from thera.

These are, in a manner, eaten up by the cJilorosis, or green-sick-

ness, and other diseases of this nature.

We would therefore recommend it to

who wish to escape these calamities, to avoid indolence and inactivity, as

their greatest enemies, and to be as much in the open air as possible.

all

Another thing which proves very hurtful to girls about this period of life

is unwholesome

food.

Fond of all manner of trash, they often indulge in it,

whole humors are quite vitiated. Hence ensues indigestions, want ol

appetite, and a numerous train of evils.

If the fluids be not duly prepared, it

is utterly impossible that the secretions should go properly on.

Accordingly

we find that such girls as lead an indolent life and eat indiscriminately

are not only subject to obstructions of the menses, but likewise to glandular

till their

obstructions, as the scrofula, or King's evil, &c.

A dull disposition is also very hurtful to girls at this period.

It is a rare

thing to see a sprightly girl who does not enjoy good health, while the grave,

moping, melancholy creature proves the very prey of vapors and hysterics.

Youth is the season for mirth and cheerfulness. Let it therefore be indulged.

It is an absolute duty.

To lay in a stock of health in time of youth, is as necessary a piece of prudence as to make provision against the decays of old

age. While therefore wise Nature prompts the happy youth to join in sprightly

amusements, let not the severe dictates of hoary age forbid the useful impulse,

nor damp with serious gloom the season destined to mirth and innocent festivity.

Another thing very hurtful to women about this period of life, is tight

They are fond of a fine shape, and foolishly imagine that this can be

clothes.

acquired by lacing themselves tight. Hence by squeezing the stomach and

bowels, they hurt the digestion, and occasion many incurable maladies. This

error is not indeed so common as it has been; but, as fashions change, it may

come about again; we therefore think it not improper to mention it. I know

many women, who to this day, feel the direful effects of that wretched custom

of squeezing every girl into as small a size in the middle as possible.

Human

invention could not possibly have devised a practice more destructive to health.

RETENTION OP THE MENSES.— After a woman has arrived at

that period of life when the menses usually begin to flow, and they do not appear,

but, on the contrary, her health and spirits begin to decline, we would advise

instead of shutting the poor girl up in the house, and dosing her with steel,

asafoetida, and other nauseous drugs, to place her in a situation where she can

enjoy the benefits of free air and agreeable company. There let her eat whole-

some food, take sufficient exercise, and amuse herself in the most agreeable

manner, and we have little reason to fear but Nature thus assisted, will do her

proper work. Indeed she seldom fails, unless where the fault is on our side.

This discharge in the beginning is seldom so instantaneous as to surprise

women unawares. It is generally preceded by symptoms which foretell its approach; as a sense of heat, weight, and dull pain in the loins; distention and

hardness of the breasts; headache; loss of appetite; lassitude; paleness of the

countenance; and sometimes a slight degree of fever. When these symptoms

DB. CHASE'S RECIPES.

264

appear about the age at which the menstrual flow usually begins, everything

should be carefully avoided which may obstruct that necessary and salutary

evacuation and all means used to promote it, as sitting frequently over the

steams of warm water, drinking warm diluting liquors, taking hip baths, &c.

;

SUPPRESSION OF THE MENSES.— Cold is extremely hurtful at

this particular period.

More of the sex date their disorders from colds, caught

while they were out of order, than from all other causes. This ought surely to

put them on their guard, and to make them very circumspect in their conduct

degree of cold that would not in the least hurt them at another

at such times.

A

time, will at this period be sufficient to entirely ruin their health

and constitu-

tion.

After the menses have once begun to flow, the greatest care should be taken

may tend to obstruct them. Women ought to be

exceedingly cautious in what they eat or drink at the time they are out of

Everything that is cold, or apt to sour on the stomach ought to be

order.

avoided; as fruit, butter-milk, and such like. Fish, and all kinds of food that

to avoid everything that

are hard of digestion, are also to be avoided.

As it is impossible to mention

every thing that may disagree with individuals at this time, we would recommend it to each one to be very attentive to what disagrees with herself, and

carefully to avoid it.

The greatest attention ought likewise to be paid to the mind, which should

be kept as easy and cheerful as possible. Every part of the animal economy is

influenced by the passions, but none more so than this. Anger, fear, grief, and

other affections of the mind, often occasion obstructions of the menstrual flow,

which proves absolutely incurable.

From whatever cause the flow is obstructed, except in the state of pregnancy, proper means should be used to restore it. For this purpose we would

recommend sufficient exercise, in a dry, open, and rather clear air; wholesome

diet, and, if the body be weak and languid, a good tonic, (see Mrs. Chase's Magic

Tonic;) also cheerful company and all manner of amusements.

recourse must be had to the physician.

If these

fail,

"When obstructions proceed from a weak relaxed state of the solids, such

medicines as tend to promote digestion, and assist the body in preparing good blood, ought to be used. The principal of these are iron

and Peruvian bark, with other bitter and astringent medicines. The bark and

other bitters may either be taken in substance or infusions, as is the most agreeable to the patient.

When obstructions proceed from a viscid state of the blood; for women of

a gross or full habit, evacuations, and such medicines as attenuate the humors

The patient in this case ought to bathe her feet frequently in

are necessary.

warm water, to take now and then a cooling purge, and to live upon a spare

thin diet.

When obstructions proceed from affections of the mind, as grief, fear,

anger, &c., every

method should be taken to amuse and divert the patient.

And that she may the inore readily forget the cause of her affliction, she ought, if

possible, to be removed from the place where it hapi^ened.

A change of place,

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

l)y presenting the mind with

Influence in relieving

it

265

a variety of new objects, lias often a very happy

from the deepest distress.

A soothing, kiiid, and

affable behavior to women in this situation, is also of importance.

An obstruction of the menses is often the effect of other maladies.

When

this is the case, instead of giving medicines to force that discharge, which might

be dangerous, we ought, by all means, to endeavor to restore the patient's health

and strength.

When that is effected the other will return of course.

For Suppressed menstruation, as soon as possible use the tepid foot-bath.

At the same time sit over a vessel of warm water, in which has been boiled

1.

some bitter herbs, till a profuse perspiration

is

Then retire to a

produced.

warm bed and take every hour or two a tea-cupful of warm tea made from the

root of bervine.

If this is not successful, give

a

little

pulverized mandrake

cream of tartar, on an empty stomach; after which pennyroyal or mot"herwort tea may be drank freely.

root, with a little

2. Aromatic spirits of ammonia taken in doses of 20 to 30 drops in sweetened water several times a day is almost sure to relieve suppression and is good

for painful menstruation.

3. Mrs. H. Y. Johnson, of Iowa, once told my wife that oil of cotton seed,

one dram daily, was unfailing. I have used it in my practice with success,

and have also used it to spur up labor when it dragged, with good success.

—

Crushed ice placed to the back in oil cloth or rubber bag place low

good for suppressed menses. It is also valuable sometimes in

TQSioring falling womb and cures leucorrhea.

4.

down

—

is also

MENSES, TO RESTORE. — Fl. ex. of ergot, and

fl.

ex. of

gossyp-

ium (cotton root), each ]^ oz. fl. ex. of black cohosh, 1 oz. simple syrup, 3

ozs.

Mix. Dose Take 1 tea-spoonful 4 times daily, for a few days; then if

;

;

—

the menses are not restored, stop its use till 4 or 5 days before the regular period

for their return, and take it up again, with the help of warm hip baths daily,

and daily sitting over the steam of bitter herbs, etc., as the grandmothers knew

In the meantime, doing anything needed to tone up the

so well how to do.

system, by taking tonics; overcoming constipation by laxatives, and in a similar

manner endeavoring to overcome any other irregularity, if any exist; and it is

thus or by such means you will succeed in restoring the general health.

—

—

PROFUSE MENSTRUATION.—The menstrual flow may be too

great as well as too small.

When this happens, the patient becomes weak, the

color pale, the appetite and digestion are bad, and swelling of the feet, dropsies,

and consumption often ensue. This frequently happens to women about the

age of forty-five or fifty, and is very difficult to cure. It may proceed from a

sedentary life; a full diet, consisting chiefly of salted, high -seasoned, or acrid

food; the use of spirituous liquors; excessive fatigue; relaxation; a dissolved

state of the blood; violent passions of the mind, &c.

The treatment of this disease must be varied according to its cause. When

by any error in the patient's regimen, an opposite course to that

which induced the disorder must be pursued, and such medicines taken as have

it is occasioned

DR CHASmS RECIPES.

266

a tendency to restrain the flow and counteract the morbid affections of the

system from whence it proceeds.

To restrain the flow, the patient should be kept quiet and easy both in body

and mind. If it be very violent, she ought to lie in bed with her head low; to

live upon a cool and slender diet, as veal or chicken broths with bread; and to

drink decoctions of nettle-roots, or the greater comfrey. If these be not suflicient to stop the flow, stronger astringents may be used, as Japan earth, alum,

elixir of vitriol, the Peruvian bark, &c.

Two drams of alum and 1 of Japan earth may be pounded together, and

divided into 8 or 9 doses, one of which may be taken 3 times a day.

Persons whose stomachs cannot bear alum, may take 2 table-spoonfuls of

the tincture of roses 3 or 4 times a day, to each dose of which 10 drops of laud-

anum may be added.

If these should fail, half a dram of the Peruvian bark, in powder, with 10

drops of the elixir of vitriol, may be taken in a glass of red wine, 4 times a

day.

2.

Oil of erigeron 1 to 5 drops every J^ hour or hour, dissolved in a little

A

alcohol, arrests flooding, or hemorrhage of the womb, promptly.

very severe

case of "flooding to death " was saved by putting hot sand bags under the back

of the head and heart

— hotter than the hand could bear, frequently renewed.

LEUCORRHEA, FLUOR ALBUS, OR WHITES.— The uterine

floiD

may offend in quality as well as in quantity.

What is usually called the

fluor albus, or " whites," is a very common disease, and proves extremely hurtful to delicate women.

This discharge, however, is not always white, but

sometimes it is sharp and corrosive,

sometimes foul and fetid, &c. It is attended with a pale complexion, pain in

the back, loss of appetite, swelling of the feet, and other signs of debility.

It

generally proceeds from a relaxed state of the body, arising from indolence,

the excessive use of tea, coffee, or other weak and watery diet.

To remove this disease, the patient must take as much exercise as she can

bear, without fatigue.

Her food should be solid and nourishing, but of easy

digestion; and her drink pretty generous, as red port or claret, mixed with

lime-water.

Tea and coffee are to be avoided. I have often known strong

broths to have an exceeding good effect; and sometimes a milk diet alone will

perform a cure. The patient ought not to lie too long a-bed. When medicine

is necessary, we know none preferable to the Peruvian bark, which in this case

ought always to be taken in substance. In warm weather, the cold bath will

pale, yellow, green, or of a blackish color;

be of considerable service.

1.

Moisten a sponge with glycerine,

acid and push up in the mouth of

roll it

in fine

powder of boracic

womb daily — a tape or ribbon may be tied to

the sponge to remove it.

2.

tion of

3.

Obstinate cases of "whites," or leucorrhea may be cured by insuffla-

powdered vegetable charcoal.

Pond's ex. of witch hazel,

1

table-spoonful in a tea-cupful of

water, injected well up into the vagina, 8 times a day

a few weeks.

warm

—cures the worst cases in

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

4.

Leucorrhea, Injection for.

cic acid, }^ oz.

;

pulverized alum, i^ oz.

—Pulverized golden

;

267

seal, 1 oz. ;

sulphate of zinc, 20 grs.

bora-

Directions

—Mix thoroughly together, and keep in a well stopped bottle, or suitable covered box.

tea

—

At tea time put 1 tea-spoonful of

green tea is preferable.

the

powder into a cup of hot

Stir 2 or 3 times during the evening, and at bed-

time strain it and inject, with a female syringe, every night, if bad, or every

second night in ordinary cases. First cleansing the parts by injecting 1 pt. to 1

(See also " Injection, Valuable in Gonqt. of water, as hot as it can be borne.

orrhea, or Leucorrhea." See also "Red Drops for Gonorrhea, Leucorrhea,

etc.")

—

Remarks. Dr. Mason says this has proved a splendid remedy in every case

where he has used it. I have also used it with success. But as quinine and

tannin have latterly been used considerably in these cases of leucorrhea, with

almost entire success, I will give one containing them, which I have also tried

with great satisfaction as follows:

5.

Leucorrhea, Valuable Injection for.— Fl. ex. of golden seal

and chlorate of potash, pulverized, eacli 1 dr. sulphate of zinc, 2 drs. tannin

Inject

distilled or pure soft water, 1 qt.

<ir.

and sulphate of quinine, each

morning and night; first cleansing the parts by injecting, once or twice, water

Directions— In mixing these ingredients, dissolve the

as hot as can be borne.

pint of water, then put the quinine in a mortar, with a

sulphate of zinc in

Put the

little aromatic sulphuric acid to dissolve it, then add to the zinc water.

tannin into another J^ pint of the water, and stir until dissolved, then mix the

two and add the other articles, and the balance of the water, to make 1 qt.;

shake when used; and use only enough to fill the vagina once, holding it in

place 2 or 3 minutes, by placing the fingers of one hand over the vulva, or

;

%

;

;

%

external part, having

first

used the hot water, as directed in the last recipe

above; keeping it in place also 2 or 3 minutes, each time, in the same manner as

here directed, is of the utmost importance, as this plan distends and cleanses

the whole vagina, while in the old way, the injections flowed out alongside of

the tube, cleansing but very little indeed.

Use enough of the hot water to dis-

tend it twice at least, before using the tea or other injection, and the cure will

be quick and satisfactory.

Remarks.— W'lih. this, Dr. J. W. Burney, of Des Arc, Ark., says he has

had more success than with any other; but with this he also gives 1 tea-spoonful

The

times daily of the fl. ex. of buchu internally, in a little flaxseed tea.

plan and remedies are excellent, as I have tested them.

'3

CESSATION" OP MENSES, OR TURN OP LIPE.— That period of

life at which the nunses cease to flow is

likewise very critical to the sex.

The stoppage of any customary evacuation, however small, is sufficient to disorder the whole frame, and often to destroy life itself. Hence it comes to pass,

that so many women either fall into chronic disorders, or die about this time; such

of them, however, as survive it, without contracting any chronic disease, often

become more healthy and hardy than they were before, and enjoy strength and

vigor to a very great age.

DR. CHASE'S RECIPES.

268

If the menses suddenly cease, in

women of a full habit, they ought to

abate somewhat of their usual quantity of food, especially of the more nourishing

kind, as flesh, eggs, &c.

to keep the bowels open.

They ought likewise to take sufficient exercise, and

This may be done by taking, once or twice a week,

a little rhubarb, or an infusion of hiera picra in wine or brandy, or purgatives

recommended elsewhere, and if complicated with other diseases, call a doctor.

DEFICIENT AND PAINFUL MENSTRUATION.-The

a^iount

of suiiering among women from this disease is alarming, and far greater than

in our "grandmothers' days,"

It seldom appears until

they have menstruated

some time with considerable regularity, and little or no pain; afterward, they

begin to suffer more or less pain, which increases until it becomes grinding and

more severe than those of labor.

It soon affects the

disposition.

general health, destroys the complexion, and ruins the

The pain generally begins in the back, extends to the loins and

and is followed by pressing down pain, resembling in severity, those of

At first a slight discharge takes place, but suddenly ceases, after some

time is renewed and becomes more plentiful, which, together with the pain

gradually ceases. The discharge differs from that of a healthy menstruation

in appearance, being mixed with lumps, and clots of flaky matter, having the

appearance of membrane or skin.

The breasts frequently swell and become

painful.

Women seldom have children who have this disease in a severe form.

Strictly avoid the use of all spirituous liquors, and keep the bowels well

open a few days before the expected attack. The patient should be kept in bed,

hips,

labor.

drink freely of tea made either of pennyroyal, catmint, sage, or the leaves of

spruce pine, until the discharge be fully established after which the pain seldom

;

Sometimes 1 or 2 grains of powdered ipecac, or

}4 tea-spoonful of the syrup taken every 2 hours, will bring on the flow

freely, when other means fail.

Keep up the warm baths for some time.

returns for that period.

1.

In painful menstruation, great benefit is received from the use of the

warm bath; and apply hot water in bottles to the whole surface of the abdomen,

with hot bricks to the feet

tansy, or boneset

;

or apply a hot poultice or fomentation of hops,

and take the following:

—

Pulverized camphor, 25 grs. ma25 grs.; ipecac, 25 grs.; cayenne, 12 grs.; opium, 12 grs. Mix, and

make into 24 pills, with ex. of hyoscyamus, and take 1 pill every 2, 3, or 4

hours, according to the urgency of the case.

;

crotin,

2. Take warm hip baths }/^ hour at a time.

on the back will arrest overflow of menses.

3.

Hot fomentation low down

Take J^ gr. codeia night and morning. You won't need anything else.

4. Painful Menstruation and Other Pains, Remedy for.—

Dr. King, of Toledo, thinks very mucli of the following remedy, not only in

painful menstruation, but also for pain in the stomach or bowels, colic, cholera-

morbus, diarrhea, etc. The author has used it in the latter cases with so much

satisfaction that he has faith in its virtues in the first named: Oil of cloves,

cinnamon, anise and peppermint, each 40 drops {% drs.); put these into 3 oz»

of alcohol, and add sulphuric ether and laudanum, each 1 oz. Dose In bad

—

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

269

cases, 1 tea-spoonful in cold, sweetened water; repeat in 10 to

20 minutes, if

needed, and at longer intervals as long as needed. For children, in stomach or

bowel difficulties, according to age and severity, from 10 drops to J^ tea-spoonful, as required to meet all cases.

Nervous Debility, Stimmorphine and arsenious acid,

alcoholic ex. of aconite (or if this is not on

strychnine, 1 gr.

each 1 gr.

hand, the same amount of the ex. of hyoscyamus may take its place), 3 grs. of

Dose Take 1

the one used. Mix very thoroughly, and make into 30 pills.

Menstruation and

5. Painful

ulating Tonic for. Quinine, 60 grs.

—

;

;

;

—

pill

only, every 6 hours, until relieved.

"Women troubled with painful menstru-

ation, should keep them on hand for use, as soon as the least pain is manifested;

but do not take them any oftener than 1 once in 6 hours.

Remarks. This pill I obtained from an old physician, whom I have known

—

over 40 years, and 1 know him to be in every way reliable. Some will say:

"They contain poisonous articles." So they do, and so do very many of our

best medicines.

It depends wholly upon the amount taken as to their injurious

effects; here we have 2 grs. of quinine, i^ gr. of the ex. of aconite, Jgth. of a gr.

of morphine and arsenious acid, and ^^th. of a gr. of strychnine, only, in each

pill.

If they are taken as directed, as to dose and time

there

is

—

1 pill, 6 hours apart—

not the least danger in their use, as these articles are all sometimes,

eiven in doses twice as large as here given.

a happy combination

someAfter the 30 pills have been

It is indeed,

of our most reliable remedies, for cases requiring the properties named

thing to allay pain and strengthen the system.

—

taken, if not cured before, wait a week, at least, before having any more made.

By that time some of the chinoidine, or cinchonidia pills, found among the

Ague Remedies or the tonic pills for Debility following Leucorrhea, may be

taken, with good results.

DISEASES OP THE WOMB, UTERUS— The organ in which

the

embryo lives and grows

until

the time of

birth.

It

is

shaped some-

thing like a pear, with the broad end uppermost. Its broadest part is called

In

its fundiifi; it has also a body and a neck; its mouth opens into the vagina.

the unimpregnated '^tate, it would hardly